STORYLINES
Tulane improved by five wins in Curtis Johnson’s second season with the Green Wave. Tulane went 2-10 in 2012, but finished 7-6 in 2013.
Johnson has won a Super Bowl title (in 2009 with the New Orleans Saints) and a BCS National Championship (in 2001 with Miami) as an assistant coach.
Tulane will play seven games against teams that played in bowl games in 2013.
OFFENSE
Tulane has announced redshirt freshman QB Tanner Lee as the Green Wave's Opening Day starter. In addition to Lee, Tulane returns a pair of quarterbacks who saw significant game action last season. QB Nick Montana made 11 starts, while QB Devin Powell appeared in eight games and made two starts.
The Green Wave will have to replace the rushing production of Orleans Darkwa, who ran for 12 touchdowns last season and finshed fourth on Tulane’s career rushing chart (2,953 yards).
WR Justyn Shackelford had 36 catches for 419 yards and five touchdowns and is the top returning receiver.
Tulane returns three starting offensive linemen from 2013.
DEFENSE
CB Lorenzo Doss was a second team Walter Camp All-America selection last season and was an All-Conference USA First Team choice. Doss had a team-high seven interceptions in 2013, including two that were returned for touchdowns..
S Sam Scofield had a team-high 104 tackles last season and was a second-team Capital One Academic All-America selection.
LB Nico Marley shared Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors last season after ranking third on the squad in tackles (67). Marley is the grandson of music legend Bob Marley
The Green Wave return both starting defensive ends from last year. DE Royce LaFrance registered 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
P Peter Picereli earned honorable mention All-Conference USA honors last season after he averaged 41.5 yards per punt.
The Green Wave will rely on a new placekicker to replace Cairo Santos, the 2012 Lou Groza Award winner. K Steven Broccolli - a junior - and K Andrew DiRocco have battled for the job during the preseason.
WR Devin Boutte returns to handle the kickoff and punt return duties.